This website is a reflection of my ongoing search to discover what it means to live a holy life: to love God, to love others and to learn from Jesus Christ. Whatever such holiness is, it needs to be woven into the fabric of everyday life. It needs to grow and develop. It needs to be imparted by God’s grace. Yet, it needs to be profoundly ordinary. This explains the title: Commonplace Holiness.

Long ago I was a very lost and alienated young man who found hope in the message of Jesus Christ. And, I've been trying to live and spread that hope ever since. I am glad I first heard the message of Christ among people who preached a Wesleyan Holiness message. It was a frustrating and confusing message to me. But, I struggled for years to make sense of it, and I’m glad I did. I’m glad I found Christ among people who believed that God actually changes lives in a deep and real way. And, this explains my lifelong fascination with the Wesleyan Doctrine of Christian Perfection.

This fascination may seem quite strange. I am not a strict or legalistic person. While I think of myself as an evangelical, I’m not even all that conservative anymore. I believe that life in the Spirit is freedom, wholeness, compassion, and hope.

I used to be a United Methodist pastor. I served under appointment in the United Methodist Church from 1975 to 2010. I’ve served several small United Methodist churches in West Michigan. I am now officially retired. I’ve been active at various times in Emmaus & Chrysalis, as a camp counselor, in the leadership of the Conference Youth Council, and in Lay Speaker training.

While my family and I have become quite disenchanted with the United Methodist Church in the last several years, you will discover that I’m still a Metho-blogger in spite of myself.

My wife Robin and I were married in the Hersey United Methodist Church on September 1, 1979. We have two children. They are grown now, with lives of their own — which is a good thing. Robin and I are still very much in love and enjoy each other's company. So, in that respect, life is good.

There is a lot more information here than might first appear. And, I am always adding new information, primarily about Wesleyan Theology — but also on the Bible, and on prayer, and other topics, as well.

My intention is for this site to be a rich resource for people who are seeking to explore their faith further. This is an ongoing and growing project, so, check back from time to time.

I’m actually not especially interested in convincing any one of anything. My hope is that you will find something here that is interesting, challenging, encouraging, or thought-provoking.

PORTALS TO FURTHER INFORMATION

I have had a long-standing interest in the literature of the Holiness Movement. The text of several books that reflect the views of the Holiness preachers of the nineteenth century are maintained on this web site. This includes a compendium of John Wesley’s teachings on the doctrine of Christian Perfection and a 1940 scholarly study of Wesleyan Theology. You may find a listing of the books here by clicking on the banner below:

I maintain a blog drawn from the writings of the nineteenth century Bible Scholar and Holiness advocate Daniel Steele (1824-1914). It can be found by clicking on this banner:

And, I also maintain a blog drawn from the writings of the nineteenth century American psychologist, author, teacher, poet, pacifist, and spiritual writer, Thomas Cogswell Upham (1799-1872). It can be found by clicking on this banner:

Finding God in everyday life. Finding what it means to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength — and our neighbors as ourselves.

Information About Speaking Engagements:I am available to preach at your church (if and when my calendar is open). I enjoy any opportunity to preach the Gospel and to meet with friends new and old. You can see my current updated Preaching Schedulehere. You can contact me by clicking here.

And, yes, like most ot the rest ot the world, I'm on Facebook. I do use Facebook as a way of keeping in touch with people, and as a place to discuss ideas. If we have met somewhere, or know one another throught the Internet, do not hestitate to send me a friend request. Otherwise, please send me a note to introduce yourself.